Emergency road wheel assembly for automobiles



Jan. 25, 1949. F. c. KEMBER 2,460,178

EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 2, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY 40M.

ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1949. F. c. KEMBER' 2,460,178

EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 2, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1949. F. c. KEMBER EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 2, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BY J ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1949. F. c. KEMBER EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 2, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 1% MM BY j' f ATTO R N EY Jan. 25, 1949. F. c. KEMBER 2,460,178

EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 2, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR ATTO R N EY F. C. KEMBER EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 2, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR BY M ATTO R N EY Jan. 25, 1949. F. c. KEMBER EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 2, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR EMERGENCY ROADWHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILES Jan. 25, 1949.

Flled June 2, 1.945

Patented Jan. 25, 1949 EMERGENCY ROAD WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR' AUTOMOBILES Federico Carlos Kember, Buenos Aires, Argentina Application June 2, 1945, Serial No. 597,164 In Argentina March 16, 1945 21 Claims.

The presentv invention concerns an emergency roadwheel assembly for automobiles or mechanically propelled vehicles.

As is well known, the normal run of a vehicle may be effected by many factors, more particularly so, through lack of balance resulting from skidding and puncturing of the tires.

In general attempts made to counteract the efiects of deflation of the tires by supplying air and by other means, have been of theoretical interest; in practice, they have had neither success nor acceptance, in any appreciable degree.

The most usual method of avoiding skidding or slipping, is to apply chains or other additional devices to the treads. This, although-effective, can be used only on boggy or muddy roads. For general use, such anti-skid aids are practical only if they can be combined with some device which will allow ready attachment and detachment; but this desideratum has not hitherto been reduced to practical form by any system whatsoever.

Taking this into account and, in view of the disadvantages which the application of direct auxiliary devices to the roadwheels entails, consideration has been given the possibility of employing other supplementary wheels adapted to replace, at the proper time, the support and action of the main wheels. It is precisely on such consideration that the assembly of the present invention is based. Said assembly far from being merely an emergency element actually attains the rank of a true improvement for automotive vehicles in general.

The invention provides each roadwheel of the vehicle with a supplementary or secondary retractable wheel, smaller than the main wheel with which it is associated, displaceable about the axle thereof, so that it may assume at least two positions. From the inoperative position, when defects occur in the performance of the main V they also may be brought into action at will, so

that in case of emergency. particularly when seting on slippery round they may avoid skidding and ensure the normal run and stability of the vehicle. This is due to the fact that the aid given by the supplementary wheels may be not only that of mere rolling support, but also may be of a driving nature, since for that purpose the aforesaid secondary wheels may be coupled indirectly to the engine of the vehicle.

In addition to the foregoing, the present invention contemplates other objects, amongst I which the foremost is that of providing elements roadwheel, the supplementary may be broughtinto play.

To this end, each main wheel is fitted with a mechanical device which, so long as the air pressure in the tire is normal, occupies a certain position. When said pressure drops, the device is displaced in such a manner that it produces the effect necessary to cause the supplementary or secondary wheel, to contact the road in order to support the vehicle either in the driving or driven action thereof.

It should be noted that the secondary road wheels have been assembled to serve not only as automatic substitutes in response to a puncture or deflation in the tire of a main roadwheel, but

of security adapted to bring into operation a secondary wheel for each main road wheel, the tire of which may become deflated or otherwise fail.

Another object is to avoid as far as possible the danger of overturning or undue deviation of the vehicle, since, either automatically, or by action of the driver himself, the emergency wheels may be brought into play, these being suflicient to enable the vehicle to maintain its stability until it can be stopped. Said emergency wheels may also serve as road wheels until a repair shop is reached. A further object of-the invention is to enable the vehicle to run on marshy or slippery ground, without compelling the driver to get down from the car to fit the anti-skid devices, since, fromthe drivers seat itself he may bring the secondary wheels into action which later on, when theground is no longer troublesome, may be retracted so as to enable the vehicle to proceed on its main wheels.

which for greater clearness has been illustrated by way of exampleand in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an automobile equipped with the emergency wheel assembly, in combination with the main roadwheels, which are represented partly in section in order to show the device which is responsive to the pressure of the tire. It is this device that becomes displaced if a certain drop in pressure occurs, this displacement starts the alarm and brings the respective secondary wheel into play.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical detail view of one of the front wheels shown in elevation, the automatic 3 device c. which is in inoperative position because the tire is shown inflated, and therefore the secondary or substitute wheel is retracted.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the assembly of Fig.2 also showing the automatic device and the supplementary wheel in inoperative position.

Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the valves which allo'a compressed air to pass or vacuum to be created wh n the automatic device actuates its corresponding lever.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of one of the rear driving wheels showing the automatic device, with the difference, that the valve instead of acting directly on the secondary wheel is indirectly coupled thereto.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the auxiliary and main road wheels seen from inside in order to show the transmission mechanism from the bearing to said secondary wheel so that the latter may act as supplementary driving wheel. In this view the secondary wheel is shown in operative position.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of one of the rear wheels, the secondary wheel thereto and the corresponding clutch and transmission mechanism extending from the rear axleto the secondary wheel.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic elevational view of all the pressure fluid connections and mechanical elements which control and connect the various means constituting the accessories of the assembly. In this figure the secondary driving wheels have been brought into'play as a consequence of the puncturing of one of the tires or else by the actuation of a corresponding lever.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of the assembly applied to the chassis of an automobile, all the elements being shown in their inoperative positions.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the equipment in a modified embodiment so far as the actuating means is concerned, since in this instance, instead of being of the pressure fluid type, the motions are produced by vacuum or depression. This view is similar to that of Fig. 8 and the mechanism of the auxiliary driving wheel is likewise in the operative position.

Fig. 11 is a view of the surface of a portion of a tire tread with ribs for marshy ground, snow and soft ground. This tread is for a secondary driving wheel. I

Fig. 12 is a side view of a portion of the tire of Fig. 11.

. Fig. 13 is a view of the surface of another portion of a tire, the tread of which is formed of rubber and abrasive materials such as emery and the like, and has good road-gripping qualities which are enhanced by wire studs. This tread likewise is for a secondary driving wheel.

Fig. 14 is a side view of the tire of preceding Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a view of the surface of another type of tire tread provided with projecting studs or metallic heads to ensure good gripping contact with the roads. This tread also is for a secondary driving wheel and finally.

Fig. 16 is a side view of the portion of the tire of preceding Fig. 15.

In the several figures the same reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts. Devices or elements comprising various parts are indicated by reference letters.

As may be seen from the drawings, a is the chassis of the vehicle, b are the front wheels and c are the rear wheels which in this case are the driving wheels, since from the corresponding en- 4 gine of the vehicle power is transmitted to the diil'erential I, Fig. 9, from which the axles 2 (Fig. 7) project terminating in the respective wheels c already mentioned.

Each front wheel b includes a secondary or supplementary wheel 8, whereas the driving wheels c include respective secondary or supplementary wheels 4, which together with the first mentioned wheels 3 constitute the assembly of the present invention, which for its operation and action depends on compressed air or pressure fluid or vacuum. In the example of Figs. 8 and 9, the action is produced by compressed air supplied by the compressor 5, whereas in Fig. 10 the action is produced by vacuum created in the suction device I89. This vacuum system will be described later.

The compressed fluid system shaft 8 of compressor 5 by means of sleeve I is coupled to the sliding shaft 8 which through clutch member 9 may be coupled to clutch member II of shaft II, deriving from the cam shaft or any other suitable part of the vehicle engine (Figs. 8 and 9).

The air inlet of compressor 5 is indicated by reference numeral I3, and from outlet I4 thereof a pipe I5 leads to tank IS in which the compressed air is stored until a high pressure is reached. For this reason the tank will hereinafter be referred to as the high pressure tank. The high pressure tank I8 is provided with a manometer I1.

The tank I8 has a passage-way I8 through which it communicates with tank I9. In said passage-way I 8 is valve 28 which has an arm 2| coupled to rod 22 of piston 23. This piston is urged by a spring 24 and acts in cylinder 25, which on the other hand'-'is in open communication with the atmosphere of tank I9, so that when the pressure in this latter tank exceeds the resistance of the spring 24, piston 23 will be displaced to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8 so as to cause closure of valve 20 and thus cut oif the flow of air from the high pressure tank I6 to tank I9. This means that in the last named tank the pressure is limited according to the strength of spring 24 and hence in said tank I9 there is a pressure smaller than that obtained in tank I6. Tank I9 is the low pressure tank, and is intended to actuate devices which do not require strong effects. Tank I9 likewise has a manometer 26.

From the high pressure tank IS a pipe 2'! extends to cylinder 28 which has a piston 29 with a spring 38. Piston 29 has a rod 3| which by means of crosshead 32 is associated with fork 33' of lever 33 (which is mounted on pin 34), said lever 33 with fork 83', engaging cross-head 35 of sliding shaft 8. Lever 32 is engaged by spring 36 which assumes two main positions, namely, one indicated in full lines and the other indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8.

When lever 33 is in the position shown in dotted lines, clutch member 9 engages clutch member I0 and thus shaft 8 is connected to shaft II so that the motion of engine I2 is transmitted to shaft 6 of compressor 5. When the pressure in tank I8 reaches a certain limiting value, at which it overcomes the resistance of spring 38, piston 29, from the dotted line position is moved to that shown in full lines in Fig. 8 and thus through cross-head 32, it compels lever 28 to assume the position shown in full lines.

Shaft 8 has a further crosshead 31 by means of which it is associated with fork 38' of lever 38 mounted on pin 29 and articulated to rod 48 of'piston 4| acting in cylinder 42. This cylindcr' by means or ormee 48 communicates witherpansion chamber 44. Since said orifice 43 is of small cross-section, the liquid contained in cyiinder 42 may flow to chamber 44 with a certain degree of slowness, and it is for this reason that the combination of lever 88, piston 4| and other elements mentioned, constitutes a retarding device to prevent shaft 8 from being displaced abruptly, whereby a smooth clutching and unclutching action between the members 8 and I9 is achieved.

From theforegoing it follows that in tanks i8 and i9, a charge of compressed air is permanently maintained, since when the air is consumed it is automatically replaced by the reciprocal action of the aforesaid mechanism. In fact. when the pressure in tank It drops, spring 30 overcomes the resistance of piston 29, which, from the position shown in full lines, again moves to the position shown in dotted lines thus actuating lever 83 which causes the shaft to be coupled to clutch member ill by means of its own clutch member 9. In this way compressor 5 is started, which after replacing the charge of air in tank It, stops automatically since said charge overcomes the action of spring 38 of piston 28, and everything returns to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 8.

Each wheel b, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, has, as stated above, a respective secondary wheel 3 arranged on the inner side of the car; said secondary wheel, as befits the character of an auxiliary wheel, is mounted so that under certain circumstances it may act in place of the main wheel b.

For this purpose, the shaft 45 of said secondary wheel 3, is mounted in fork 48 which by means of support 41 is connected to ring 4'8. This ring, by means of rollers 49 is rotably mounted in annular bed 50' of the fixed plate 58 where the brake mechanism of the main wheel b is secured. Since bed 58' and ring 48 are concentric with the axle of wheel b, the secondary or auxiliary wheel 3 can be displaced in the manner of a planet wheel, for example, from the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, to the position shown in dotted lines in the same figures.

Ring 48 with support 41, forks 48 and wheel 3,

' form a movable assembly d and this assembly,

when ring 48 rotates upon rollers 49 of bed 50', allows wheel 3 to be displaced from the inoperative position shown in full lines to the operative position indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2.

The movable assembly (1 has an emergency wheel actuating cylinder 5| within which piston 52 acts, with a piston rod 53, which on one hand, after passing through the actuating cylinder 5|, terminates outside said cylinder in a pin portion 54, fitting into a notch 55 in bed 58' in order to secure the inoperative position of assembly it. At the other end, rod 53 has a shoe 58 opposite rim 51, on which 59 of Wheel b.

Piston 52 is urged by spring 50 which with its load carries pin portion 54 into the retention offered by notch 55. At the same time and with the same tension; the spring maintains shoe 56 retracted from' metal rim 5! of the tire of wheel b. Since assembly d is secured to plate 50, the shoe should contact rim 5'! as this would offer a braking effect on the free rotation of wheel b.

At the nadir of axle 6| of wheel -b, plate 58 serves as a basis to support 62, provided with a retention tongue 63, which cooperates with spring are fitted the tire 58 and inner tube v 6 stop 44', to receive and define the position of assembly (1 when the secondary wheel 3 is carried to the operative position indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2.

Said tongue 83 is coupled to rod 95 located in bore 48 of support 82. Said rod 65 has a handle 45' by which it may be grasped in order to retract tongue 43 when it is desired to return wheel 3 to the inoperative position." Rod 85 has two stops, 8'! and 88, adapted to define the position of tongue 53, when it is desired to lock or release the assembly d. The first of these stops, 61, limits the displacement of tongue 63, whereas stop 88 is adapted to act as a detent to secure theinoperative position of same tongue 48, since by retracting rod 85 until the tongue fits in recess 62', it will be sufficient to turn rod 65 so that said stop 68 will engage the edge of bore 66. Rod 55 has a rotation sleeve 89 by which it is connected to tongue In its movable part, wheel b has the device. e (Fig. 2), which is automatic, since it combines with the tire'of the same main wheel, so that, when the pressure in inner tube 59 drops, either by leakage, puncture or blow out, it will bring wheel 3 into play as a substitute for main wheel 1:.

Said automatic device e comprises a rod 19 fitting in the guide H of support 12, and, as may be seen, through perforation 13 said rod 18 passes through rim 51 and ends in shoe 14 which is in close contact with the inner tube 59 pertaining to the wheel. Rod 18 is urged radially by spring 15 the resistance of which is overcome by the normal pressure of the inner tube of the tire, so

. that ordinarily shoe 14 andits rod III are kept in 'the position indicated in full lines. But as said spring I5 has a tension capable of overcoming the pressure of the tire if that pressure drops below a predetermined standard, any such fall in the pneumatic pressure causes the spring to assert itself and compress the walls of the inner tube 59, displacing rod 10 with the shoe 74 thereof. Consequently, if the tire is punctured or it loses part of the air contained in the inner tube 59, rod 10 is displaced to the positions indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3.

Rod 10- has a stop 16 which, as it accompanies the rotation of wheel I), when displaced it engages and actuates levers 11 and 18 which keep valves j and g in closed position; both of these valves 1 and g and levers I1 and 18 are mounted on the fixed plate 58. Said valves f and g are of the stop-cock type, with a casing 19 and a rotary body, 80, which, as shown in Fig. 4, is of the so-called three way type, with a T-shaped passage Valve receives pipe 8| which comes from the compressed air tank is, (the low pressure tank) and, as may be seen from the same valve a pipe 82 projects and leads to chamber 83 of alarm device It. Said chamber 83 has a diaphragm 84 which, under air pressure, displaces a contact 84' which serves as a bridging member for strips 85 and 86 inserted as switch members in the conductor 81 connected to lamp 88, in series with a buzzer of audible element 88' which receives the negative conductor 89; said lamp 88 in combinationwith buzzer 88' forming a visual and audible alarm.

The same body 80 of valve 1 has two studs, 90 and 90, of which the former is provided with an arm 9| engaged by spring 92 tending to keep open the passage of the valve or with communication 'between pipes 8| and 82; whereas the second stud 98', has a further arm 9|,which in the closed position of the valve, is locked by stop QJQO, 178

11 of lever 11. The closed position is that which must be maintained while the vehicle is running.

Valve is similar to valve ,f being also of the stop-cock type, with a casing 83, 84 and corresponding T shape passage 84' (Fig. 4). Valve a receives pipe- 8| which also leads from compressed air tank l8 corresponding to low pressure; at its outlet, valve g is coupled to pipe 85 which, being substantially flexible leads to the change-over cylinder 8|. The body 84 of valve 0 has two studs 88 and 88 of which the former is provided with an arm 81 engaged "by spring 88 tending to maintain open the passage of valve 9; in other words the spring, when free to assert itself opens passage 84 for communication between pipe 8| and pipe 88 leading to the change-over cylinder where the air pressure reaches the cavity opposite to. spring 88. The second stud 88' has another arm 81' which when brought to the closed position of valve g, is locked by stop 18' of lever 18. Also in this case, the closed position of valve g, is that which must be maintained while the vehicle is running. For this reason levers 11 and I8 with stops 11 and 18 must maintain the arms 8| and 81 locked, in order to ensure closure of both valves f and a.

When the tire of wheel b is under normal pressure, it maintains spring I5 compressed, stop 18 maintaining the inoperative position indicated in full lines in Fig. 2, so that when wheel b rotates, the stop 18 which also rotates as a unit with device e, does not Contact levers I1 and 18. Lever 11 is at a point next to the inoperative position of stop I6, whereas lever 18 is at another point further away from axis 8|.

When pneumatic tube 58 loses suflicient pressure, spring I5 overcoming the pneumatic pressure, causes rod 18 to be displaced; this rod forms part of device 2 and hence accompanies the rotation of wheel I). Since levers I1 and 18 bear on plate 58 (which is fixed) when stop I8 reaches position 18' corresponding to the circle in which the end of lever I1 lies, it displaces the latter causing it to disengage stop 11' (Fig. 4). Arm 8|, is released and due to the tension of spring 82, body 88 will rotate to the position in which passage 88', places pipe 8| in communication with pipe 82. In these circumstances, the compressed air from tank I8, passes through pipe 8|, flows through valve f and pipe 82 into chamber 83 where it overcomes diaphragm 84, the contact 84 of which closes the circuit of lamp 88 and buzzer 88 of alarm device h. This means that as soon as a failure occurs in a tire, the latter operates the alarm and warns the driver.

If the deflation continues, and position 18" is reached, rod 18 will coincide with lever 18 and upon rotating will cause stop I8 to disengage (Fig. 4) and release arm 81' hence the body 84, due to the tension of spring 88, will cause valve 9 to open. This allows compressed air from tank I8 to pass through pipe 8|, 8| to pipe 85 and so reach the change-over cylinder 5| where said air, acting against piston 52, overcomes spring 88 and retracts pin 54 from notch 55 and at the same time causes shoe 58 to engage the rim 81. The rim being in motion, it will compel assembly d (free from obstruction of pin 54), to accompany wheel b until the assembly reaches the operative position, where it strikes stop 84 and locks with tongue 63. Thus, as may be seen from the dotted lines, wheel 3 contacts the ground and serves as a support or substitute for wheel-b. Arms 8| and 81, as seen in Fig. 3, are associated with cables 88 and |88 guided in flexible tubes a rotary body III and I82, extending to the dashboard of the automobile where said cables terminate in knobs I88 and I84. The driver, by means ofsaid knobs, may close valves f and 0 since a pull on them will cause cables 88 and III to move arms 8| and 81 to the position shown in Fig. 4, and as levers 11 and 18 will have taken up their initial position due to tension of their respective springs I88 and I88, said closure of valves 1 and g is again ensured through the lock offered by stops l1 and II to arms-8| and 81'. After position 18", stop 18 may reach position 18" which is out of contact with levers 11 and 18, so that although the substitute wheel 3 is in operation, if wheel 17 also rotates, superfluous contact of stop 18 with the aforesaid levers is avoided.

Driving wheels 0 have a device e (Fig. 5) exactly the same as that of wheels b, since in the same way it comprises a support 12 with a guide 'II for rod 18 which passes through perforation I8 of rim 51 and ends in shoe I4 in contact with the inner tube of the tire. Also in this case the pressure of inner tube 58 should overcome spring 15, but the latter must prevail when the tire loses its normal tension.

As in the case of wheel 1), rod 18 of device e has a stop I6 which, after the inoperative position indicated in full lines, may also assume positions 18', 18" and 18", of which the first actuates lever I1, the second (18") actuates lever 18 and the third (16"') corresponds to the inoperative displacement in which it does not reach either of the levers I1 and 18.

In the same way as with wheel b, on plate 58, corresponding to the fixed part or plate that does not rotate with the wheel, are mounted the supports of levers 11 and 18, and there also are likewise mounted valves and. g which are formed, the first by a casing 18 and a rotary body 88 with a 'T shape passage 88', said body having two stubs 88 and 88' each having an arm 8| and 8|, of which the first comprises spring 82 which opens valve f whereas the second arm 8| by means of stop 11' locks with lever I1 when the valve is closed.

' closed.

This shows that device e of wheel c acts in the same conditions as device e of wheel I) and valves f and g of wheel 0 respond under like conditions to. those of valves 1' and g of wheel b; hence Fig, 4 corresponds to the valves of wheel b and to those of wheel c.

Valves f and g of wheel 0, in place of receiving pressure from the low pressure tank, receive air from the high pressure tank I8. This is the sole diflerence with respect to the valves of wheel I); valve being connected to pipe I81 which extends from said tank l8 and, as in the case with wheel b, valve J of wheel 0 communicates with a pipe I88 leading to chamber 83 of alarm device 7:.

.Valve 9 is likewise connected to'the high pres sure tank, since it receives another branch pipe I81 bifurcated from I81.

As may be seen in Figs. 5, 8 and 9, valve g has an outlet pipe I88 which, instead of being con- -nected directly to the support means of wheel 4, leads to cylinder 8 which carries the emera casing H8 in which the rotary body II9 operates, with a T shape passage I: said body being the one which has the arm II5 on its pin (Figs. 8 and 9).

The casing ill of valve i has two inlets I2I and I 22. which are adjacent, and separated merely by the partition I23. The inlet I2I is connected to pipe I24, constituting a branch of pipe II, coming from the low pressure tank I9; whereas, inlet I22 is connected to pipe I25 which extends from the high pressure air tank I6. Said valve i has an aperture I26 open to atmosphere, and through port I21 has an air supply passage to cylinder k the piston I28 of which controls the position of the secondary wheels 4. Since both inlets I2I and I22 are adjacent, when valve i opens, pipes I24 and I25 might be interconnected, said pipes coming from tanks I9 and I6,

the pressures in which are different. For this reason pipe I24 has a check valve I29, which closes under air pressure from the high pressure tank I6.

Valve 1 has a casing I30 housing a rotary body I3I having a T-shape passage I32. Said body I3I has an arm Ill connected to its corresponding pin. The aforesaid valve has an inlet I33 connected to pipe I25, a branch of pipe I25 extending from the high pressure tank I6. Valve 1 has an opening to atmosphere I34 and another opening I35, connected to cylinder is at a point opposite the connection I21 from valve 1. Piston I28 acts as a movable partition between cavities I36 and I31, the former receiving compressed air supplied by valve 1, whereas the latter (cavity I31) is supplied with compressed air delivered at suitable times by valve i. At the headers of cylinders k are buffer springs I38 and I39 which act as stops to limit the stroke of piston I28.

Valves 1 and i as may be seen in Figs. 8 and 9, are responsive to piston ill, but may likewise be actuated by pedal I40 at the vehicle control since said pedal constituted by a lever I40, also engages bar H5. Pedal I40, in addition to serving as a control for the action of valves 1 and 9' designed to govern the position of wheel 4, has the advantage of serving to indicate and to advise the driver of the position of wheels 4.

same level as that of wheels b, while secondary wheels 4, have their tread slightly projecting, with respect to the tread of main wheels c.

Arm I48, is fork-shaped with a gap I in which wheel 4 is fitted; the inner branch of arm I48 having a cavity I48 which as a crank case, encloses therein a pinion I5I which by means of chain I52 receives the motion of gear whe'el I53 fixed on tubular shaft I41 (Figs. 6 and 7). Said pinion I 5| has its shaft I5I' mounted on bearings I54 and by means of spigot connection I said shaft I5I' is coupled to shaft I49. the outer end of which is mounted on bearing I56 disposed Piston I28 has a rod I, which passes through stuifing box I42 and ends in a fork having two arms I4I', Fig. 9. Each of these arms I4I' has a pin I43 fitting in respective slots I44 in arms I44 of the pair of casings I45 of the corresponding assemblies m, of the pair of secondary wheels 4, which accompany the driving wheels 0. As shownin Fig. 7, assembly m of the pair corresponding to the rear wheels comprises, as an extension of easing I45, a tubular body I46 mounted on the tubular shaft I41 which in turn is arranged around axle 2, which associates the planetary of the differential gear with driving wheel 0. The tubular body I46 of the assembly m has a radial arm I48 which likewise forms part of the same assembly, this arm constituting the support for shaft I49 of the secondary wheel 4. Each secondary wheel 4, since it accompanies a respective driving wheel 0, forms a twin assembly with'the wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle.

The secondary wheels 3 have their tread at the against plate I51 which by means of screws I58 is secured to the arm I48 in a removable manner. That is to say that said plate I51, after withdrawing wheel c and removing screws I58 may be taken all in order to remove shaft I49 and thus allow wheel 4 to be taken ofi for repair or replacement. This enables wheel 4 to be replaced by other similar wheels having treads presenting the characteristics shown in Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Assembly m is enclosed by dustguard I59, fitted with felts I60, between edges IN and I62, where arm I48 emerges; and since the latter moves through an angle of said edges I6I and I62 serve as stops to limit and define the aforesaid two positions of said arm (Fig. 6).

Dustguard I59 is the same cover which extends from differential I, surrounds casing I45, and with complement I59 encloses arm I44 in the whole of the radius of action thereof. The complement I59 terminates in a projection I63 which shields a certain part of the respective branch I4I' corresponding to rod MI, and by means of felt pads I64, said complement I59 closes around said rod to protect the portion of the stroke thereof.

Each casing I45 (Fig. 7) houses a clutch n formed by two members I65 and I66 with corresponding control means and accessories. Member I65 is fitted on splines 2' of axle 2 of the differential so that it will rotate with said axle 2. Said splines are sufficiently long to allow longitudinal displacement of member I65 until it engages member I66.

Member I66 is coupled to tubular shaft I 41 by means of connection or feather key I61 which allows member I66 a certain amount of longitudinal play, but as may be seen in Fig. 7, said member keeps in a given position due to the expansion of spring I68 which bears on a flange I69 of said shaft I41. This arrangement allows member I66 to yield so that clutch engagement takes place under resilient thrust. As is known, tubular shaft I41 carries gear I53 so that when the clutch is engaged, motion is transmittedthrough said gear to wheel 4.

The pair of dust-guards I59 extend into the respective casings I45 around axle 2. Said extensions indicated by reference numeral I10, have splines I19 acting as guides to slide 11 which comprises a tubular portion I1I, a plate I12 and the helical threads I13.

Slide 1) is longitudinally displaceable in order to move member I65 from the unclutched position to the clutched position and vice-versa. For

this purpose, plate I12 of slide p is enclosed in closes oiI against the tubular portion I1 I' of slide 5 p comprises an annular plate I15 which secures the felt pad I18.

The screw threads I18 are associated with projections I" which are provided with friction contacts I18. Said projections II'I are connected to or form part of assembly m since'they are integral parts of. the walls of easing I45; therefore said projections are in a position to act in the groove of the screw-thread, when arm I44 corresponding to assembly m is displaced through the action of the respective branch I4 I of rod I4 I.

This means that when valve 1 (Fig. 8) opens, and air under pressure enters the bore I36 of cylinder k, it displaces piston I28, the rod I4I of which with its two branches I4I' carries forward the arms I44 of the two casings I45 corresponding to the pair of assemblies 111.. With this action, the respectiveugasings I45 and tubular bodies I46 rotate, and consequently, arms I48 move through an angle of 90 bringing the pair of wheels 4 in contact with the ground or road as replacements for wheels 0.

At the same time, through displacement of assemblies m, clutch n is engaged, since projections III, acting as nuts, move along the pitch of the screw-threads I18 and cause slide 72 to move lengthwise; said slide with plate I12 urges member I85 into the position indicated in dotted lines, in which it engages member I86, thus coupling axle- 2 and tubular shaft I", having gears I53 secured thereto, said gear transmitting the m otion to pinion I5 I; this in turn moving the corresponding wheel 4.

The helical threads I18 are of fairly quick and metal particles may be used. It might be advantageousto use steel wires I81, arranged so that the ends thereof are flush with the surface of the tread, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and, in certain cases, the tread may have on its surface metallic studs I88 as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, with which to grip on ice and similar surfaces.

Vacuum system As shown in Fig. 10, when operating with vacuum, the system should include a suction device I89 in place of the compressor 8. Said suction pump I88 by means of pipe I8 is coupled to tank I8 which has likewise coupled thereto the tank I8 through valve 20, the arm 2| of which is connected to rod 22 of piston 28 which is urged by spring I80 acting in a sense opposed to that of. member 24, since by its pressure it tends to hold the piston out, i. e.: it urges the piston to the position corresponding to the opening of the va ve.

In order to operate on vacuum, the change-over cylinder 5i, corresponding to wheels 8, is similar to the one of the type working on compressed air, with the difference that pipe 84, instead of acting in the part opposite, to spring 88, is coupled to the same cavity in which said spring 80 is located, since when vacuum is established, the depression must be caused in the cavity of the spring in order to overcome the effect thereof, to disconnect stem 54 from notch 55 and to engage shoe 84 against rim 51.

The change-over cylinder II8 corresponding to wheels 4 (Fig. 10) also receives pipe I08 in the portion in which spring m is located since in the same way. when vacuum is established through pipe I08, the pressure of said spring must be overcome in order to carry the piston to the operative position indicated in same Figure 10. This pitch and are calculated so, that engagement of Shows that Spring in a different Position members I65 and I88 shall occur before the assemblies m have completed their displacement from the inoperative to the operative position. In this way each wheel 4 is in driving motion before contacting the road. This prevents the auxiliary wheel from acting as a brake during the transition period.

Arms 9| and 8'! of valves f and g of rear wheels 0 are also engaged by cables 89 and I00 extending to the dash-board in front of the driver.

At the end of the stroke of pedal I40 is a stop I80 which urged by spring I8I. locks said pedal when it is brought into operative position (indicated in full lines in Fig. 8) but as will be seen,

by reason of the shape of the stop with the same foot it may readi y be disengaged, the pedal then returning to the inoperative position indicated in dotted lines. Said pedal returns to said position because of the pull of spring II2 which, as stated above, acts in the change-over cylinder H0.

0n edge I82 (Fig.6) there is a brush I83, guided 'in tube I84 and subjected to the pressure of spring I85. This brush acts with its bristles against the tread of wheel 4, to keep said wheel suitably clean during or after use.

As has herein been stated one type of secondary wheel 4 is intended for snow, or marshy ground and the tread thereof is provided with fins or projections I89 arranged in the form of a V or in any other suitable manner for the purpose envisaged (Figs. 11 and 12).

Another type of wheel 4 may be pneumatic or solid tires, and since it is designed to avoid skidding, the tread must have anti-skid properwith respect to spring II2 intended to work on compressed air.

In the example of Figure 10, valves i and a are in identically the same form as in the previous case of Figs. 8 and 9, since they are similarly connected to pipes I 25 and I28 deriving from tank I6, but the operation now being by vacuum, both valves act in inverse manner to that shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In order that piston I28 of cylinder is may bring assembly m to the operative position of secondary wheels 4, vacuum must be established in cavity I81, and it is for this reason that valve 1' must open while cavity I88 is opened to atmosphere through valve 1. To return to the inoperative position of wheel 4, it is in cavity I88 where vacuum must beproduced for this, valve 1 opens while valve 9 communicates cavity I81 to atmosphere. This same action of the vacuum on piston I28 and cylinder It produces consequently the connection and disengagement of clutch n (Fi 7).

In the case of Fig. 10. the action of bar H5 is inverse to that shown in Fig. 8. the control pedal indicated by reference numeral I82, differing from pedal I40 in so far as concerns the kind of lever, since on being depressed said lever must push bar H5 instead of pulling on it. This pedal I92 has a stop I80 which operates in the same manner as in the compressed air system.

The automatic system for maintaining ambient conditions in the tanks I8 and I8, is achieved by the same means which were indicated for the equipment charged with compressed air, except that in this case (when operating on vacuum),

ties. For this purpose rubber with coarse emery pipe 21 is coupled to-cylinder 28 in the part cor- Operation -When operating with compressed air, if the main and secondary tanks I8 and", are empty, shaft 8 with clutch member 9 will remain coupled to clutch member III; as a consequence of this, when the engine I2 is started, the compressor will charge the main or high pressure tank I8, part of the contents thereof passing on to the secondary or low pressure tank I9, until the pressure overcomes spring 25 of piston 23, and valve 20, intercommunicating the two tanks, closes automatically. When the air reaches a predetermined pressure in tank I8, same air passing through pipe 21 will actuate piston 29 of cylinder 28, displacing lever 33 towards the dotted line position front of respective openings I82 and I" which lead to the'atmosphere (Fig. 4), the pressure in chamber 88 and change-over cylinder 5i immediately disappears, and, while diaphragm 84 returns to its normal position stopping the alarm,

spring 88 returns piston 52 to its original position at which the clutch member 9 of shaft 8 is disconnected. In these'circumstances, compressor 5'stops until the pressure in tank I8 drops.

With this charge of airin tanks I8 and I9, the emergency wheel equipment is ready to operate automatically when any of the main wheels b or c fail.

For example, if one of the front wheels b loses air by leakage or puncture, or blow out spring I5 overcomes the pressure of the tire; the stop of device e which follows the wheel b, upon moving radially up to position It strikes the lever 11 releasing arm 9 I which allows valve to open under the pull of spring 92 allowing air to pass from pipe 8| to pipe 82 through which it goes to chamber 83 of the alarm device h. Under this air pressure diaphragm 88 moves and by contact 84', connects the two strips 85 and 85, closing the circuit which operates buzzer 88', and lights lamp 88 thus warning the driver that a failure or some such abnormal event has occurred in the wheels.

As itcontinues on its stroke, rod 18 by the pressure of spring I5 reaches with its stop 15 the position 16" which coincides with lever I8. The latter, on being displaced by said same stop, releases arm 91', causing spring 98 to open valve g which allows air to pass from duct 8| to pipe 95 which carries it to the cavity of change-over cylinder 5i. When the air enters said cylinder 5|, displacement of piston 52 is obtained, whereby rod 53 thereof retracts pin 54 from notch 55, leaving assembly d free from the stop corresponding to the inoperative position indicated in full lines in Fig. 2. At the same time shoe 56 of said rod contacts rim 5'! of wheel b which, being in motion. compels the assembly to rotate with its ring 88 about/bed 58' of plate 58, and as a result wheel 8 reaches the lower portion contacting the ground as it indicates in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This position is determined by the engagement of assembly d with stop 64, and is maintained by the lock offered by stop 63. In these conditions, wheel 3 becomes a substitute of the main wheel. The coupling of the shoe with rim 51 does not prevent free rotation of wheel b since said shoe is metallic and the pressure thereof is relatively small. Moreover, since the driver is warned, he may readily interrupt said connection of shoe 56 with rim 51, by pulling knobs I03 and I04; valves f and y then close again, and are held in this position by stops 1'! and I8 belonging to levers 11 and I8. And as in this position the passages and 84' are in retracting shoe 55 from rim 51. On the other hand, as stop ll continues to move due to the continued escape of air from the tire, when it reaches position 18", it will be spaced away from the lines where levers TI and I8 are located, for which reason therotation of wheel b is free from all superflous eflects. Consequently, wheel 3 may act as a substitute of wheel b without any trouble as regards the continuedrun of the vehicle.

when the fault has disappeared, it suflices to take knob of rod 85 and retract retention tongue 83 so that assembly d' may be free to be carried back to the inoperative position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3. This inoperative position is again defined by the retention offered by pin II when it engages notch 55 of bed-50'.

If the puncture or failure occurs in either of the rear wheels 0, the automatic device e will act in the same manner as in the case of wheels b. That is to say, when the pressure drops in the inner tube 59, Fig. 5, rod III is displaced radially and since said device e follows the rotation of the wheel, when stop 16 reaches position 15' it strikes lever 1! thereby releasing arm 9I' whereby due to the tension of spring 82, valve f opens allowing air to pass from pipe I Ill to pipe I08 leading to chamber 83 of alarm device h, where owing to the air pressure, diaphragm 84 moves so that contact 84' connects the two strips 85 and 88, closing the circuit which actuates buzzer 88' and lights lamp 88, thus warning the driver that a pneumatic abnormality has occurred in the wheels.

As rod I8 continues on its stroke, through pressure of spring I5, it reaches with the stop thereof the position 16", which coincides with lever I8, and the latter on being displaced by the action of said stop, releases arm 97, thus causing spring 88 to open valve 9, which allows air to pass from pipe I 01" to pipe I 08. As may be seen in Fig. 8, due to the opening of valve g, the air going to change-over cylinder III! carries piston Iii from the position shown in dotted lines to the position shown in full lines. This action, through rod H3 and connecting rod H4, is reflected on bar H5, which on moving lengthwise carries arms H6 and II! from the dotted line position to the full line position shown in same Fig. 8. In this manner valve 7' is closed and valve 1 is opened, the latter first allowing low pressure air to start the effect, and thereafter giving free passage to air conducted by pipe I25 from high pressure tank I6. The compressed air which enters cavity I36 of cylinder is, actuates piston I28 and moves it from the dotted line position to the full line position (Fig. 8). The air contained in cavity or chamber I31 escapes throug aperture I34 of valve :i. I

On the displacement of piston I28, rod MI with its two branches Ill draws the arms I44 forward causing the pair of assemblies m to rotate through 90, so that their respective arms I48 are moved to the position indicated in full lines in Figs. 1 and 8, in which the secondary wheels 4 contact the ground as substitutes for the main wheels 0.

At the same time, by rotation of assemblies m, engagement of the clutch n is achieved, since projections I11, acting as nuts, move in the helical groove of screw-threads I13, causing longitudinal displacement of slide 12, which with its plate I12 pushes member I" to the position shown in dotted lines, where it engages member I86, for the purpose of transmitting motion from'respective axle 2 to the tubular shaft I41, which with gear I50 and chain I52, transmits the action thereof on pinion ISI which sets in motion the corresponding wheel 4. With the operation of wheels 4, not only is the replacement of wheels c as regards supporting action achieved; it also includes driving action, since with said wheels 4 the automobile may be driven as such'to the first service station for the purpose of repairing affected main wheels.

As the bar II! is directly connected to pedal I40, and since the latter has a stop I80, when the emergency action occurs, said pedal is locked by said stop I and therefore the whole mechanism corresponding to valves 1' and j remains in operative position as shown in Fig. 8.

This being so, it is not necessary to maintain the action of the air which operates in the change-over cylinder IIO. Therefore the driver may close valves 1 and gby pulling on knobs I03 and I04, so that cables 99 and I00 will move arms 9| and 91 to the position in which arms 9| and 91', respectively, are locked by stops I1 and I8 of levers I1 and I8.

Once the fault has been repaired, it is sufiicient to displace stop I80 and release pedal I40 so that spring II2 may return all the parts to the inoperative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8; that is to say, that when it moves piston III' back, the bar II5 moves lengthwise carrying arms H6 and II I to the dotted line position in which valve i closes, and valve 1' opens.

- Valve i remains as a release valve, since its passage I communicates cavity I36, through opening I26 with the atmosphere. Thus the high pressure compressed air admitted by valve 1, enters cavity I31, moves piston I28 to the dotted line position, and as a consequence thereof, rod I with its two branches HP will move the respective arms I44 to the position shown in dotted lines, causing the assemblies m to rotate through 90, as required in order that the two arms I and wheels 4 of the rear auxiliary pair may return to the inoperative position indicated in Fig. 5, in which the main wheels 0 are again active.

When the pair of assemblies m return to the dotted line position, the projections I1'I, acting as nuts, again move in the groove of the screwthread I13, but in the opposite direction, causing slide 12, to disengage member I from member I68. it is in this manner that in the inoperative position wheels 4 remain idle.

If rear wheels 0 fall to act as they should on slippery or excessively soft surfaces, the driver may at once put the auxiliary or secondary wheels 4 into service, by depressing pedal I 40 until it is engaged by stop I80. On actuation of this pedal I40 the whole mechanism of bar II5 moves into the full line position in which valve 2' opens whereas valve 7' closes. whereby piston I28 causes displacement of both wheels 4, while at the same time, ashas already been stated, clutches n are engaged, placing their respective wheels 4 into service as driving wheels.

As stated, auxiliary wheels 4 maybe changed in order to use treads suited to road conditions. that is to say that such treads may have fins I06 (Figs. 11 and 12) or anti-skid elements such as those shown in Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Due to the way in which wheels 4 are mounted, they may be readily changed. In fact, it is sumcient to remove screws I58 and plate I51 and sub- 18 sequently withdraw shaft I49, in order to be able to remove wheel 4 and replace same when necessary.

Instead of compressed air, oil or any other suitable pressure fluid may be used.

Secondary driving wheels 4, when in service,- and due to their connection with axle 2 by means of clutch n (constituted by members I and I65) respond to the same brake as main wheels 0, so

that no special brakes are required to operate with said secondary wheels.

Since the ratio between gears I58 and I5I corresponds to that between wheel 4 and its respective main wheel c, when the secondary wheels 4 are put in service, they rotate at such a speed that no disturbance in progressive action occurs in the change; the driving roll is equivalent. For this reason, secondary wheels 4 may come into play at any speed at which the vehicle may be travelling.

Since, in addition to the automatic mechanism, assemblies m are also responsive to pedal I40, wheels 4 with the same facility with which they are put into service at any moment, may be retracted and brought to their inoperative position by voluntary action. It is, in fact, suiilcient to disengage stop I00 in order to release pedal I40, and allow spring II2 to return the whole mechanism responsive to bar II5 to the inoperative position. This permits alternate running on the main wheels 0 and secondary 'wheels 4, without having to stop the vehicle.

When a'suction pump I99 is used in place of compressor 5, or if the outfit is run on vacuum, according to Fig. 10, operation or the system is practically the same as that described for compressed air, except that in some elements the action is reversed to obtain the same positive etiects.

Since for want of vacuum piston 29 will be initially in the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10, lever 03 will also assume the dotted line position, thus maintaining member 9 clutched. When engine I2 starts, action is transmitted by shaft 8 to suction pump I09 which rarefies the air in tank It and secondary tank I9. When sufllcient depression is obtained, spring I is overcome and piston 23 causes valve 20 to close. This limited vacuum operates the alarm and actuates a suitable time on piston 52 of cylinder 5| thereby placing the secondary front wheels 3 into service.

Once valve 20 is closed, the depression in tank I6 continues until a predetermined degree of vacuum is reached; set by the strength of spring 30.

When said vacuum is attained in tank I6, piston 29 is drawn along to the extent of causing a change in the position of lever 33 which actuating on shaft 0 causes disengagement of member 9, stopping the pump.

This condition is maintained until the vacuum is altered through working of the mechanism. But it is automatically restored, because the spring cannot be held back by the reduced vacuum, and it then displaces piston 20 to the dotted line position thus again causing the clutch to engage and hence the suction pump to operate whereby the vacuum is reestablished.

If one of the front wheels loses air due to a leak or a puncture, the mechanism of the automatic device e and of valves j and g operates in the case of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 wherein spring 15 overcomes the pressure of the tire and then, the

75 stop 10 of device e, which follows the wheel b,

upon-being displaced radially to the position I5, strikes lever I1 causing it to disengage arm 9|. This in turn, by the tension of spring 92, causes valve f to open andproduce a vacuum in the chamber 83 of alarm circuit h. Since when working with vacuum, diaphragm 84 acts inversely to its operation by compressed air, (example of Fig. 10) said diaphragm has a contact I 94 which bridges the tongues 85 and 85; the contact I94 closes the circuit lighting the lamp 88 and producing the corresponding sound in element 88' which announces the pneumatic failure or abnormal condition of the wheels.

In like manner, as may be seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, if the loss of air continues due to displacement of rod I under pressure of spring I5, stop I reaches position 16" which coincides with lever I8. The latter, on being displaced by action of said stop, releases arm 51' causing spring 98 to open valve 9 which establishes the vacuum. The vacuum acting in cylinder 5| in that part corresponding to spring 50, as shown in Fig. 10, causes displacement of piston 52 whereby rod 53 thereof retracts pin 54 from notch 55, releasing assembly d from the retention corresponding to the inoperative position shown in full lines in Fig. 2. And,'as in the case of compressed air, also by means of the action of rod 53, shoe 56 thereof engages rim 51 of wheel b which, being in motion (as shown graphically in the same Figure 2), compels assembly d to rotate with its ring 48 around bed 50' of plate 50, and as a. result, wheel 3 reaches the lower part where it engages the ground (dotted line in Fig. 2). This operation position is limited and ensured as stated hereinbefore by means of stop 64 and tongue 63.

The remaining movements are explained by the operations already described. I

If the puncture or failure occurs in either of the driving wheels, the action by vacuum is practically the same, since device e comes into operation under identical conditions. In fact, as shown in Fig. 5, when stop I6 reaches position IE, it actuates lever 11 releasing arm 9| which causes spring 92 to open valve 80, causing vacuum in chamber 83, the diaphragm 84 of which, connected in the manner shown in Fig. 10, causes device h to give the alarm.

Since, when rod I0 continues on its travel, stop 16 reaches position 16'' (Fig. 5); when said stop strikes lever 18, it releases armil'l' causing spring 98 to open valve g thus producing vacuum in change-over cylinder I|0, where in opposition to spring I 9| said vacuum causes displacement of piston (Fig. Thereby the two arms I I6 and I I! are changed to the position indicated in full lines. In this case, operating on vacuum, valves i anl will act inversely to what they do in the system of compressd air. In eiiect, when valve establishes communication between cylinder k and tank I6, vacuum is produced in cavity I31, bringing piston I28 to the position shown in full lines. This position is reached without difficulty since valve 1 acts as an air intake from the atmosphere. This means that through the action of piston I28 the displacement of assemblies 771, is obtained, which bring wheels 4 to the operative position indicated in same Fig. 10.

As in the case of actuation by compressed air, in the present instance, when piston I28 moves by the efiect of vacuum, clutches n become connected and transmit motion from axle 2 to secondary wheels 4, through the tubular shaft I", gear I53 and pinion I5I.

Since bar 5 isdirectly connected to pedal I02, and the latter has a stop I00, when the emergency action occurs, said pedal is locked by said stop I80, and therefore all the mechanism corresponding to valves i and 1 will remain in operative position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 10. In this manner, assistance of vacuum is not necessary to maintain the position to which the unit has been moved, because stop I cancels the pressure of spring |0| tending to move the mechanism to inoperative position.

Once the damage has been repaired, everything may be brought back to normal or inoperative position by merely disengaging stop I80, since spring I9I will move piston III to the dotted line position which causes wheels 4 to be unclutched and put out of service.

The general operations are explained by the action described.

Summarizing, the present invention is concerned, with an emergency road-wheel assembly for automotive vehicles, the essential feature of which is that it comprises against each of the .front wheels b and driving wheels 0 a retractilc econdary wheel (3 or 4) which is of smaller diameter than the main wheel, and is mounted on a displacement assembly (d or m) associated with a change-over cylinder 5| or IIO) the piston 52 or I I I) of which is connected to displacement control means for said assemblies (d or m), aid control means being constituted in the front wheel 3 by the rim 5'! of the main wheel itself, associated to a shoe 56 whereas in the driving wheel said control means are constituted by a cylinder k the piston I28 of which, according to the position of certain valves i and 7' which are responsive to the action of the piston III of the change-over cylinder II 0, governs the said assemblies m in order to produce the operative or inoperative position of the emergency wheels 4. Said change-over cylinder (5| or IIO) has connected to it a duct which in the front wheels is constituted by pipes 8| and 95, whereas in the driving wheels said duct is constituted by pipes I01 and I09) said duct being derived from a tank the internal pressure of which difiers from that of the atmosphere, that is to say, that the pressure in said tank may be greater than atmospheric v(compressed air) or less than atmosphere vacuum. Inserted in said duct is a check-valve g provided with an opening element (lever 18) which is located within the radius of action of a stop I6 belonging to an automatic device which comprises a movable element the inoperative position of which is maintained, by the normal pressure of the tire of the main wheel of the vehicle, and in turn said movable element is subjected to the pressure of a spring which inopposition to the pressure of the tire is of a strength slightly less than the normal tension of the tire itself.

In addition to the valve g corresponding to the emergency change-over cylinder (5| or H0 each wheel has another valve I inserted in a conduit which is also derived from a tank the internal pressure of which is different from that of the atmosphere. Said conduit is coupled to a chamber 83 of an alarm device h. (On the front road wheels the said conduit is composed of pipes 8| and 82 and on the driving or rear wheels it is formed by pipes I01 and I08.) This valve f also has a corresponding opening element (lever TI) which is located within the radius of action of the stop I6 corresponding to the automatic device e, the unit being mounted 9 .so that the immovable part It which follows the movable part of the wheels ofthe vehicle. forms the base for the valves I and a, movable part of the same wheels carries the automatic device e for the corresponding action on the levers which cause the automatic emergency opening. And on the same fixed part which follows the movable part of the wheels of the vehicle, there is mounted the corresponding assembly (at or m) with means for defining the operative or inoperative position and means for causing displacement thereof. Moreover, the emergency driving wheels 4 have coupled to their axle a mechanical transmission with a coupling clutch to the respective axle of the rear pair, the setting into service of which depends on the movement or displacement of the assemblies 111.

It should be understood that by automotive or mechanically propelled vehicles it is meant all vehicles which have wheels and are provided with their own engine, such as automobiles, trucks, collective transport vehicles in general, amphibian vehicles, aircraft with landing trains and the like, the comprising trailer carriages with pneumatic wheels susceptible of being fitted with the anti-deflation safety device and emergency wheels, coupled to the tank, the internal pressure of which is diflerent to atmospheric, located in the automotive vehicle.

It is evident that when carrying the present invention into practice, many modifiications may be made in so far as certain details of form and construction of the apparatus are concerned, without however departing from the fundamental principles specified clearly in the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. An emergency road wheel assembly for automotive vehicles having a plurality of main vehicle wheels comprising a secondary retractile emergency wheel located next to each main vehicle .wheel and of smaller diameter than such main vehicle wheel, a displacement assembly, an

emergency wheel change-over cylinder including a. piston, the cylinder being combined with the displacement assembly and the secondary wheels being mounted on said displacement assembly, control means for the displacement of said as- .sembly connected to said piston, a tank, the internal pressure of which differs from that of the atmosphere. a pipe connecting said cylinder and tank, an inflatable tire on the vehicle wheels, an automatic device including a stop and a movable element, said movable element being maintained in inoperative position by normal pressure in said inflated tire, this last element being constantly spring urged towards an operative position by .means having a force slightly less than the normal pressure in the inflated tire, a valve inserted in said pipe,and a valve-opening element located in the path of said stop.

v 2. An emergency wheel assembly for automo- -tive vehicles having a plurality of main vehicle wheels, each including a. rim, said assembly comprising a secondary retractile emergency wheel 10- c'ated next to and of smaller diameter than each vehicle wheel, a displacement assembly, thesecondary wheels being mounted on the displacement assembly, a cylinder combined with the displacement assembly and including a piston, control means for the displacement assembly connected to the piston, a tank, the internal pressure of which diifers from that of the atmosphere. a pipe connecting the cylinder and the tank. an inflatable tire on each main wheel.

whereas the ill) an automatic device mounted on the movable portion of the wheels and having a stop and a rod, said rod being guided in a corresponding mounting and passing through the wheel rim, a shoe on the rod subjected to the pressure of the inflated tire to maintain .the rod in an inoperative position, spring means sllightly weaker than the normal pressure in said tire urging said rod to an operative position, a valve inserted in said pipe and an opening element coupled to said valve and located in the path of said stop.

3. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle having a plurality of main vehicle wheels each including a rim and an inflatable tire mounted on the rim, 9. displacement assembly comprising a secondary retractile emergency wheellocated next to and of smaller diameter than each main wheel and mounted on said displacement assembly, a cylinder combined with the displacement assembly and including a piston, control means for the displacement assembly connected to the piston, a tank, the internal pressure of which differs from that of the atmosphere, a pipe connecting the cylinder and the tank; a fixed member mounted close to each emergency wheel, an automatic device including a stop and a movable member, said 7. serted in a second pipe, a chamber including a diaphragm operated switch, an alarm device, an electrical circuit including said alarm device and said switch, said second pipe being connected between said chamber and the aforesaid tank.

4. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle according to claim 3, in which each of the said check valves is composed of a casing secured to the flxed member and enclosing a rotary member having pivot pins, one of said pins having an arm, spring urged to the open position of the valve, and another pin having an arm adapted to engage a stop defining the closed position of the valve, said stop being mounted on a lever pivoted on said flxed member and extending into the path of said stop.

5. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle according to claim 3, comprising opening means associated with each of said check valves, said valve opening means being at different distances form the axis of the wheel. whereby they coincide with different positions of displacement of the stop of said automatic means.

6. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, in which for the front wheels, the said cylinder is fixed to the mounting of the respective emergency wheel and said piston is connected to a rod having a pin.

'- spring urged into a notch which defines the inoperative position of the emergency wheel, said rod likewise having a shoe positioned opposite the rim of said wheel, and spring urged away from the rim, said rim acting as the control means for the displacement of the secondary wheel.

7. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, in which 21 cured by means of a rotary ring on a bed pertaining to an immovable part associated with the main wheel, said immovable parthaving at the point corresponding to the inoperative position of the secondary wheel, a retention notch engaged by a pin forming part, of the rodbelonging to the change-over cylinder, said immovable part having at another point a limiting stop and a stop defining the operative position of the secondary wheel.

8. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, in which each secondary wheel corresponding to a driving wheel has a displacement mounting, the cylinder being outside said mounting and the piston of said cylinder having a rod' coupled to a bar, which works two valves on a second cylinder including a second piston having a rodprojecting beyond the second cylinder and being subdivided into two branches, arms on said displacement mounting coupled to said branches; said valves being inserted in a conduit derived from the same tank aforesaid, said valves comprising a movable body portion and being in inverse positions whereby the open position of the one valve corresponds to the closed position of the other valve.

9. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, in which each, secondary emergency wheel corresponding to a driving wheel has operatively associated therewith a displacement assembly, the changeover cylinder being indirectly associated with said assemblies, by means including a pair of inlet and outlet valves, the piston of said cylinder with the rod and transmission members thereof being coupled to control said valves which are disposed on the end of a second cylinder having a piston and a bifurcated piston rod, said bifurcated piston rod being coupled as control means for the displacement of the secondary emergency wheels.

10. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle, according to claim 1, in which the control cylinder for the displacement of the assemblies corresponding to the secondary emergency driving wheels has an inlet and an outlet formed by two check valves connected to said tank and having each an arm coupled to a bar connected to the piston rod of the changeover cylinder and to an actuating pedal lever which in operative position has a corresponding detent disengageable by displacement.

11. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle, according to claim I, in which the cylinder the piston of which constitutes the direct control of the displacement of the assemblies corresponding to the secondary wheels which accompany the driving wheels of the vehicle, has two resilient stops at the ends of the piston stroke, and in which said cylinder has a check valve at its inlet and outlet, each connected to a respective cavity, the cavities being kept independent by the interposition of the piston itsel 12. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle, according to claim 1, in which the assemblies of the secondary emergency wheels which accompany the driving wheels, have an angularly displaceable arm where by means of a fork they engage the axle of the respective auxiliary wheel, said assemblies being arranged as housings with a, portion serving as tubular shaft around the main axle, said assemblies, by means of another am being coupled each to a respective branch of a bifurcated rod connected to the piston of the cylinder controlling the direct 'displacement of said assemblies.

13. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive'vehicle, according to claim 1, in which the assembly of the secondary wheels which accompany-the. driving wheels, has an axial tubular portion which is covered by a dust-guard into an aperture of which, limited by abutting edges, extends an arm which has a fork portion supporting the respective secondary emergency wheel, said aperture being of the dimensions necessary for the displacement of the arm from an inoperative to an operative position, said dustguard being complemented by a cover enclosing the arm of the assembly and part of the bifurcated branch of a rod connected to the piston of the cylinder controlling the displacement.

14. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle, according to claim 1, in which the emergency wheels accompanying the driving wheels, have a shaft connected to a pinion meshing with a gear including a tubular shaft mounte ed around. the corresponding axle, said tubular shaft having a member associable with a second movable member secured to said axle, said movable member forming with the other member a clutch and being associated with 'a slide having a. helical thread, said slide having coupled thereto in a nutlike manner, projections pertaining to the mounting assembly of the emergency wheels, said assembly having an arm connected to the change-over control means for the same wheel.

15. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, in which the rear pair of wheels has a pair of clutch means,

one being connected by sliding and spring means to a tubular shaft having a gear mounted thereon and meshing with a pinion pertaining to the emergency wheel, and another member secured slidably on the corresponding axle by splines, said second member having the form of a housing the hollow thereof enclosing a thrust plate that forms part of a sliding element mounted in guides on an extension of the dust-guard surrounding the axle, said sliding element being of a tubular form with anti-rotational splines, and having an helic'al thread in which are engaged in a nut-like manner projections from the displacement assembly of the emergency wheels.

16. An emergency wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle, according to claim 1, in which each assembly corresponding to a respective secondary emergency driving wheel has an arm which on the one hand is forked to engage the shaft of the secondary wheel and on the other hand from a casing enclosing a pinion to which the shaft of the same secondary wheel is coupled, said casing also enclosing a transmission and a gear fixed to the tubular shaft having clutch means to the corresponding axle of the main wheel; the shaft of the secondary wheel being so disposed-that the tread thereof projects slightly by means of a pipe. 

